by: Ivy Laing

Mrs. Dot looked at me with her huge smile and said “it’s really just about being a missionary in your own neighborhood.” And in that moment God spoke loud and clear.

God wants to be glorified in every single thing we do, every single place that we go, with every single conversation that we have. He desires for us to be missionaries, He actually commands us to be missionaries.  Serving with Mission Change at the Albany Rescue Mission did just that. It glorified our Jesus. Whether we were sorting through old books at the thrift store or worshiping with them at chapel or sitting with them at lunch listening to their stories- it was all in an effort to make Him famous, to make Him known in our very own city.

I was introduced to a whole table full of men who adored Mrs. Dot and that also exclaimed that she was indeed a missionary to those around her. She told me that even though she was going through a valley right now that even the little things she had were His and she had to give them back to Him. She was so full of joy and hope. That’s how all of us should live. Giving it all away, even if that means it is such a small amount.

I have to admit that the people I met at the Albany Rescue Mission are some of the greatest, funniest, sweetest people ever. They remember your face and want to know your story. They have peace in the midst of trials. And they have a ton of knock-knock jokes they cannot wait to share. It’s all about relationships. We can never really help people until they trust us. Go love on some people!

Serving with Mission Change I have learned this: something small goes a long way. A smile, a short conversation, a high-five…simple things to us can make such a huge impact. It’s like it is a little glimpse into our Daddy’s heart.

At the end of the day it’s about loving others more than we love ourselves. So GO into your neighborhood and change it. GO into your city. GO into the world.  Just make a difference.